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Adam & Eve In The Quran

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Does the Quran also tell the story of Adam and Eve?

Yes it does, although a different version to the one that appears in the Bible today. The story of Adam (pbuh) and Eve is known the world over and is used by some to explain how mankind’s existence began on earth. In fact, Christianity, Islam and Judaism all teach that Adam (pbuh) and Eve were the first humans created by God and that all humans have descended from them. Adam (pbuh) is also a prophet in Islam.

So Muslims believe that every human being in the world today is related to Adam?

Yes, we are all ‘children’ of prophet Adam (pbuh) and Eve, as they were the first two human beings and it is from them the first generations of mankind descended. Allah (swt) says in the Quran: “O Mankind fear your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him He created his mate and from the twain He spread abroad many men and women.” In the Quran Allah (swt) often refers to mankind as the ‘Tribe of Adam’.

What else does the Quran tell us about the creation of Adam?

Allah (swt) tells us in the Quran that after He created everything that is in the earth He created the seven Heavens. After that He informed the angels that He intended to create man as His representative on the Earth. So using clay Allah (swt) designed Adam (pbuh) with His own hands and then breathed life into him. Abu Musa (may Allah (swt) be pleased with him) relates in a Hadith that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Surely, Allah created Adam from clay selected from the different regions of the world. So, the children of Aadain (the Banu Adam) went after the earth – some of them turned out to be white, some red, some black and others between them. They turned out to be evil and good, and simple and tough; and there were those between the extremes.” [Ahmad]

What happened once Adam had been given life?

Allah (swt) taught Adam (pbuh) the names of all things – knowledge that the angels didn’t possess. Then Allah (swt) asked all the angels to bow down to Adam (pbuh). All the angels did so except Iblis. “He [Allah] said, ‘What stopped you from prostrating when I commanded you?’ He replied, ‘I am better than him: You created me from fire, while you created him from clay.’” “He [Allah] said, ‘Then go down from here! It is not for you to show arrogance here, so go away! Surely you are one of those who are degraded.’” (Chapter 7, Verse 12-13) So Iblis, thereafter also known as Shaytaan (Satan), was cast away after he refused to obey Allah (swt). Iblis then vowed to spend the rest of his days trying to lead mankind astray. “He [Allah] said, Go away from here, degraded and outcast; as for whoever of them follow you, surely I will fill Hell with all of you.’” (Chapter 7, Verse 18)

Does the Quran reveal any more about Eve?

Eve isn’t actually mentioned by name in the Quran, in fact ‘Eve’ is the name given to the first woman in the Bible. However, in Islamic tradition she is known by the Arabic name ‘Hawwa’. The Quran confirms that Hawwa was indeed created from Adam (pbuh) but doesn’t go into detail: “It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her in love...” (Chapter 7, Verse 189) The Bible however states that Eve was created from Adam’s (pbuh) rib – something which although is not confirmed in the Quran, it is in fact supported by a Hadith in Bukhari.

Does the Quran mention the Garden of Eden?

It does, but in Islam it isn’t given such a name but is simply referred to as ‘the Garden’. Both Adam (pbuh) and Hawwa lived in Paradise enjoying the blessings of Allah (swt), living a life any human would have envied. However Allah (swt) warned them: “And We said, O’ Adam, dwell – you and your wife – in the Garden and eat freely of its (fruits) as you wish, but do not come near this tree lest you become wrongdoers’”. (Chapter 2, Verse 35) Allah (swt) also told Adam (pbuh) to beware of Shaytaan: “And We said, ‘Surely this one is an enemy to you and your wife, so do not let him drive you out from the Garden, so that you are made miserable’”. (Chapter 20, Verse 117)

Did Adam and Eve eat the apple from the forbidden tree?

Although in Islam there is no confirmation of what particular tree it was, Shaytaan did manage to tempt both Adam (pbuh) and Hawwa to eat the fruit of the forbidden tree. Being humans, their curiosity got the better of them: “But Shaytaan whispered to him saying, ‘O’ Adam, shall I show you the tree of immortality and power that does not waste away?’” (Chapter 20, Verse 120) The Quran tells us that after eating the fruit both Adam (pbuh) and Hawwa noticed they had become naked. Realising they had been tricked by Shaytaan they desperately tried to cover their nakedness with leaves from the trees.

In Islam is Eve blamed for tempting Adam to eat the fruit?

No, certainly not. Islam preaches that every person is responsible for their own actions. In the Quran Allah (swt) holds both Adam (pbuh) and Hawwa equally responsible for the sin of eating fruit from the tree that He had commanded them to stay away from. They can’t blame one another, as they are both as much responsible human beings as each other. In Islam we will all be made accountable for our own sins, we won’t be able to blame our parents, our brothers or sisters, or our friends or anyone else for that matter.

What about the concept of Original Sin?

This does not exist in Islam. Muslims do not believe that all humans are born with a tendency towards sin, or that we bear actual guilt or responsibility for the sins of our ancestors. Both Adam (pbuh) and Hawwa committed a sin and then asked Allah (swt) for forgiveness and He forgave them both, so there is no question of a hereditary sin in Islam. The Quran tells us: “No soul will be questioned about what another soul has done…” (Chapter 17, Verse 15) Instead, Muslims believe we inherited choice from Adam (pbuh) and Hawwa. After committing the sin both Adam (pbuh) and Hawwa were expelled from Paradise and sent to live on earth: “He [Allah] said, “There you will live, and there you will die, and from there you will be raised (from the dead).’” (Chapter 7, Verse 25) Allah (swt) gave them a choice as to how to live their life on earth, they could either believe in Allah’s (swt) signs and follow the guidance He sent to them or they could reject His laws and face the consequences on the Day of Judgement. “We said, ‘Go down from here together, but certainly guidance will come from Me to you – and whoever follows My guidance will neither fear nor grieve; but those who reject and deny Our signs, they are the people of the Fire; they will dwell in it.’” (Chapter 2, Verse 38-39) This is the choice that the whole of mankind has inherited from Adam (pbuh) and Hawwa.

If God truly forgave Adam and Eve for their sin why did He expel them from Paradise?

Allah (swt) is Most Merciful. Not only did Allah (swt) accept their repentance He also guided them: “Then Adam received words (of revelation) from his Lord, and He turned in forgiveness towards him; surely He is the Relenting, the Compassionate.” (Chapter 2, Verse 37) Another verse in the Quran states: “And Adam disobeyed his Lord, so he erred. Then his Lord chose him, and relented towards him, and He guided him.” (Chapter 20, Verse 122) Allah (swt) right from the beginning created Adam (pbuh) with the intention of making him His representative on earth. The Quran tells us that just before Allah (swt) created Adam (pbuh) He told the angels: “Surely I am about to place a vicegerent on the earth...” (Chapter 2, Verse 30) So Adam’s (pbuh) stay in Paradise at the beginning was always only meant to be temporary. However, Allah (swt) did inform Adam (pbuh) that it was possible to return to Paradise if one made the right choices in their life on earth.

Did Adam and Eve have any kids?

Yes, since the whole of mankind descended from them both, they had a lot of children. It is said that in each birth they had twins - a boy and a girl. They were commanded to marry the male of one set to the female of the next set, and the male of that set to the female of the first, but they were disallowed to marry a brother and sister of the same birth. The marriage between sets of twins - an exception granted to the first generation of human beings only - was in order for mankind to multiply. The Quran reveals the names of two of Adam (pbuh) and Hawwa’s sons as Habil and Qabil, known as Abel and Cain in the Bible.

What does the Islamic version of the story of Adam and Eve teach us?

The whole story teaches us that Islam is fair and just when dealing with matters relating to men and women. This story shows us that both men and women are equally capable of following the right path and equally capable of being led astray by Shaytaan and falling into destructive ways. It teaches us that humans have free will, and that they alone will be responsible for their choice of action of which they will ultimately face accountability before Allah (swt). In the Quran Allah (swt) tells us: “O’ Tribe of Adam, do not let Shaytaan beguile you in the same way that he caused your (first) parents to leave the Garden, pulling away their garment (of innocence) so that he made them aware of their nakedness. Surely he sees you, he and his followers, from where you do not see him…” (Chapter 7, Verse 27) Allah (swt) tells Shaytaan in the Quran: “You will have no power over my (sincere) slaves; and Allah will be guardian enough (for them).” (Chapter 17, Verse 65)

How is this story significant to Muslims today?

The story highlights the importance of us acknowledging any sins we commit and then sincerely repenting to Allah (swt) for them. Adam (pbuh), Eve and Iblis all disobeyed Allah’s (swt) command, but the clear difference was how they reacted when made aware of their sin. Adam (pbuh) and Eve realised their mistake, and humbly asked for forgiveness, while Ibis, full of pride, was arrogant and refused to even acknowledge he had done wrong. Also, just like Adam (pbuh) and Hawwa we live as free beings on this earth with the choice to follow Allah’s (swt) Divine Guidance, which is available to us in the Quran, or to follow our own self-willed ways under the influence of Shaytaan. Depending on the choice we make we will either spend our afterlife in peace in Heaven or be forever punished in Hell.

Comments

Objectively speaking, this is just a perverted version of the original Holy scriptures. God never has to come behind men to set the record straight, He already put his devinely influenced texts in place long before (over 700 years) the Quran was devised. The problem with Christianity is mankinds stiffnecked ways and like the example above his blatant attempt to subvert the minds of the simple. The Apostle Paul said "though we or an angel from heaven come preaching any other gospel than ye have received, let him be accursed." (written some 700 years before Mohammed came deceiving the masses with his version of "God's doctrine"). That goes for Catholics, Baptists and the like all the way down to Muslim. The thing that makes the real difference between Christianity and Islam is that Islam provides no plan for atonement. That is the focal point of TRUE Christianity. Truth hurts but it's good medicine.

The Christian belief is kinda confusing - if Jesus died for your sins then what is his purpose now? What is your purpose now? If all your sins are forgiven why try to be better than you are when being mediocre worshipped can still take you to heaven, since you believe? :S

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"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi

Objectively speaking, this is just a perverted version of the original Holy scriptures. God never has to come behind men to set the record straight, He already put his devinely influenced texts in place long before (over 700 years) the Quran was devised. The problem with Christianity is mankinds stiffnecked ways and like the example above his blatant attempt to subvert the minds of the simple. The Apostle Paul said "though we or an angel from heaven come preaching any other gospel than ye have received, let him be accursed." (written some 700 years before Mohammed came deceiving the masses with his version of "God's doctrine"). That goes for Catholics, Baptists and the like all the way down to Muslim. The thing that makes the real difference between Christianity and Islam is that Islam provides no plan for atonement. That is the focal point of TRUE Christianity. Truth hurts but it's good medicine.

Am i the only one who thought that comment was anything but Objective?

Atonement. As in the belief that Jesus (as) paid the penalty for the original and other sins of all men by his death on the cross and that salvation cannot be obtained without belief in the saving power of his blood.

Firstly, Muslims dont believe in the idea of Original sin. The Quran states that Adam (as) and his wife were forgiven. The Quran states 'Every soul shall bear its own burdens' and 'Nobody will carry anybody's burden' in the Quran (6:164).

Secondly, Islam states Allah (swt) is most forgiving, most compassionate and most merciful. Therefore demanding the price of blood in order to forgive the sins of all men shows a complete lack of mercy, whether the former is willing or not, is the height of injustice. And Allah (swt) is the most just.

Allah (swt) doesnt require the shedding of blood to atone for sins. What is necesary however is true reptance, remorse, persistent struggle against evil. Which to any rational mind would seem the fairer choice, to be judged by ones own deeds rather than their ancestors.

And to quote the bible:

"The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him." - Ezekiel 18:20

So i guess what im saying is you're talking outta your rear mate.

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And I heard as it were, the noise of thunder. One of the four beasts saying come and see and I beheld, a pale horse. And his name that sat on him was Death... and Hell followed with him.

Atonement is the key. Under Moses administration the congregation was commanded to sacrifice animals and the blood shed by those sacrifices cleansed the beliver of his sins, problem was those sacrifices had to be performed often and did not cleans the consience. So to fix this problem (which really wasn't a problem but a figure of Christ), God set up the sacrifice of a man, and not just any unclean man but a clean one who "did no sin, neither were lies found in his mouth". The blood he shed is "for the remission of sins that are past" and this blood is applied to an individual through baptism by a qualified servant of God, not just anyone.

Jesus' purpose now is His office as an "attorney" if you will who makes pleas to God for us, and when we follow the steps he laid out God does not see us as sinners anymore and thus His clean Spirit can enter us and thereby we obtain true salvation as the Spirit of God is the only Spirit powerful and clean enough to get us to the ultimate destination when our bodies die, the THIRD Heaven. There are no seven heavens, only three.

The reason Christianity is so confusing is because filthy men use the Gospel to get money and they are no more qualified to preach Gods plan of salvation than a retarded kid is qualified to transplant a heart. Simply asking God for forgivness is not going to cut it, you must 1. Repent, 2. Be baptised (by a minister ordained of God and not man) and 3. Be filled with God's Holy Spirit. Number three is the most mis-understood part of the process because 99.9999999% of people who claim they are filled with God's Spirit have no clue of the actual filling and are deceived because they can't stop sinning against God. God's spirit CANNOT and WILL NOT live in someone who commits "sin". One single sin will drive the Spirit of God from that person and they may not be able to recover just like Adam in the Garden of Eden. Same for us as for him, same God.

Sin is the breaking of God's law. Understand that the breaking of God's law makes one "dirty" in God's sight and God is clean (Holy) it's like two magnets repelling each other. God's Spirit CANNOT be dirtied or even CLOSE to "dirt". In order to fully undeerstand this one must experience TRUE rebirth first hand. If you want to know more follow the link: http://freepdfhosting.com/c635fb71c9.pdf

Did you even read anything i wrote? I ask because you've not addressed a single point i raised. Instead i got a cut and paste job of misinformation.

A capital sign that you're nothing more than a fanatic. With no real views or ability to discuss scripture. And you feel like you UNDERSTAND Jesus (as). Dont make me laugh. Your words are worthless unless you can back them up.

The Quran states "my Servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of God: for God forgives all sins (except shirk): for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (39:53) And in order to be forgive you must (1) The sin is committed out of ignorance, not with the intention that God will forgive you; (2) That you quickly turn in shame and repent after committing the sin (3) After asking for forgiveness, make a pledge to mend your ways.- Quran (4:17, 4:18).

But dont take my word for it. Its clear you dont believe in the Quran. If a person believes that a blood sacrifice were necessary in order for God to forgive human sin, then that person forgot to study the Gospels of the Bible (old and new testament). Even a single example where God forgave without a blood sacrifice would prove that this idea is untrue. And since God does not contradict himself then one such example would disprove all you're babling. I refer ofcourse to Leviticus 5:11-13. Where God forgave the people of Niniveh simply for abandoning their evil ways. Therefore res ipsa loquitur by your own holy book; God said you can be forgiven without blood sacrifices.

I believe thats check and mate.
He shoots and he scores! And thats the game!!!

Thank you, thank you... i'm here all week

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And I heard as it were, the noise of thunder. One of the four beasts saying come and see and I beheld, a pale horse. And his name that sat on him was Death... and Hell followed with him.

I find the story of Adam and Eve in the Quran fascinating. The Abrahamic religions have much in common. This commonality should bring these three factions closer but alas that is not the case. As a Catholic Christian, I have never believed that blood sacrifices were necessary for the forgivenenss of sins at any time. God (Allah) never wanted them. Instead, He wanted man to give all of himself to God. The story of Cain and Abel makes this quite clear. Neither of these two men were required to even give sacrifice and yet the fact that Abel's sacrifice was acceptable and Cain's not, aknowledges man's failure to give his all to the Supreme Being.

Regardless of which faith we walk, it seems to me, that if we embrace the 2 commandments of Jesus :1, Love God with your whole mind, soul and strength and 2, love your neighbor as yourself; we are Christian, whether we know it or not.